Finding Your Way: Careers Away from the Bench · Finding Your Way: Careers Away from the Bench Brianna Blaser, PhD ... Patent Agent/Attorney Advise companies and inventors on intellectual

Finding Your Way: Careers Away from the Bench

Brianna Blaser, PhDAAAS/Science Careers

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Careers Away From the Bench

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AAAS

International nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world

Membership-based organization Publisher of Science Source for broad range of career advice and

resources through ScienceCareers.org Science Careers Outreach Program

Slides available at sciencecareers.org/outreach



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Introduction

Are these careers “alternative”? What sorts of opportunities are there? How do you decide what to do? How do you get there?



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Young people themselves don’t realize how valuable they are with a PhD. It means an ability to think deeply, solve problems, analyze data, criticize, and be criticized. [PhDs] often don’t realize the breadth of what they are capable of doing.

- Neal Lane, Science Advisor to Bill Clinton



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Consider that the average person sleeps 8 hours per day; that leaves 16 hours for other activities. From the time that we are roughly five years old through the time we retire in our 60s or beyond, most of us are involved in vocational activities – educational and work – one-half or more of those remaining hours, 5 days per week. If you are unfulfilled in your work life, your dissatisfaction will certainly affect other areas of your life.

- Michael Shahnasarian, Decision Time: A Guide to Career Enhancement



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Myths About Post-academic Careers: No one would hire you. You have no useful skills. Your research is your most valuable asset. People who work in the business world are stupid

and boring. Jobs in the business world are stupid and boring.

- Adapted from Susan Basalla and Maggie Debelius’ “So What Are You Going to Do With That?” Finding Careers Outside Academia



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"Piled Higher and Deeper" by Jorge Chamwww.phdcomics.com


http://www.phdcomics.com/



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25

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50

1981 1985 1989 1991 19931993 NEW1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2006

Perc

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Percent of US Biomedical Science PhDs Holding Tenure or Tenure-Track Positions 5-6 Years Post-PhD

Source:

Percent of US Biomedical Science PhDs Holding Tenure or Tenure-Track Positions 5-6 Years Post-PhD



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0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

1973 1977 1981 1985 1989 1991 19931993 NEW1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2006

Perc

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All AcademicIndustrialGovernmentOther

Distribution of Biomedical Science PhDs bySector of Employment

Source:Wednesday, January 27, 2010


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What do scientists do outside of research?



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What do scientists do outside of research?

Business development Journal editors Career development Technical writers Science writers Tech transfer Information science/libraries Venture capital Marketing/sales Public relations Funding agencies Professional associations Academic administration

Program administration K-12 teachers Community college professors Curriculum development Educational research Museums/science centers/

aquariums Public policy Patent agents and attorneys Finance Regulatory affairs Entrepreneurship and more…



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Science Writing

Work in one of many settings Write on various topics Need strong writing skills Training programs, internships, volunteer

Kara NybergFreelance writer



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Patent Agent/Attorney

Advise companies and inventors on intellectual property and patent issues

No degree necessary Strong communication skills

James DilmoreReed Smith



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Science Policy

Work on government policies that intersect with science

Bridge between the policy world and scientists Communication skills are key Fellowships to enter the field

Winston YuWorld Bank



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Sales

Continue to work with science and scientists

Work with customer before and after sales occur

Requires good people skills

Marta FernandezApplied Biosystems



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Comparing these options to research careers

Salaries Work/life balance Broader focus May not need a postdoc Less linear career paths



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What career path is right for you?

The Decision Cycle1. Awareness 5. Commitment2. Self-Assessment 6. Implementation3. Exploration 7. Re-evaluation4. Integration

(Adapted from Carney & Wells 1995)



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Self-Assessment, Exploration, and Integration

Research your options Reflect on your preferences Conduct informational interviews Network



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Research Your Options

Learn about different career paths Ask unbiased sources Speak with career counselors Read about career paths

ScienceCareers.org – articles and forum Alternative Careers in Science – Robbins-Roth Put Your Science to Work - Fiske So What Are You Going to Do With That? – Basalla & Debelius Nontraditional Careers for Chemists - Balbes



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Reflect on Your Preferences

Take career inventories and self-assessments Informally reflect on preferences

Journal Pro and con lists Lists of skills and values



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Questions to Consider



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What do you like to do? What energizes you?



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What do you like to do? What energizes you? What type of tasks and activities make you completely

lose track of time?



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lose track of time? Do you want to do lab work? What would you miss

about being in the lab?



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about being in the lab? Where do you want to work?



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about being in the lab? Where do you want to work? What do you want to wear to work?



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about being in the lab? Where do you want to work? What do you want to wear to work? How often do you want to change projects?



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about being in the lab? Where do you want to work? What do you want to wear to work? How often do you want to change projects? Would you like to work independently or as part of a

team?



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More Questions to Consider



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What sorts of hours do you want to work?



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What sorts of hours do you want to work? Are you willing to travel?



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What sorts of hours do you want to work? Are you willing to travel? What sort of funding situation do you want to be in?



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What sorts of hours do you want to work? Are you willing to travel? What sort of funding situation do you want to be in? What non-science interests or skills do you want to use?



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What sorts of hours do you want to work? Are you willing to travel? What sort of funding situation do you want to be in? What non-science interests or skills do you want to use? How important is your income level? job security?



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What sorts of hours do you want to work? Are you willing to travel? What sort of funding situation do you want to be in? What non-science interests or skills do you want to use? How important is your income level? job security? What sort of stress levels do you want to deal with?



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What sorts of hours do you want to work? Are you willing to travel? What sort of funding situation do you want to be in? What non-science interests or skills do you want to use? How important is your income level? job security? What sort of stress levels do you want to deal with? Who do you know who likes their job?



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Yet Other Considerations

Employment trends Societal needs Economic conditions Family responsibilities Geographic considerations Immigration issues



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Informational Interviewing

Learn about career options and expand your network

Ask for a few minutes of the person’s time Prepare ahead of time Ask open-ended questions Mind your manners Ask for referrals Afterwards, write a thank you note



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Questions to ask

What attracted you to this field? What do you like most or least about this position or field? Describe a typical day or week. What steps did you take to break into this field? What skills are most helpful in your job? How can I develop

them? To what professional associations do you belong? How do I locate positions in this field? What advice do you have for me?



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Other Networking

Ask your contacts about career options Social networking Career fairs Meetings and conferences Mentoring programs



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Transitioning/Implementation

Think about your skill set Skills you have Skills employers want

Develop and cultivate new skills Start following a career path



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Skills You Have



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Skills You Have

Data analysis and management Project management Communication Computer and technical operations Teaching and leadership Teamwork Problem-solving and critical thinking Technical knowledge



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Skills Employers Want

Learning to learn Reading, writing, and computation Communication Adaptability Personal management Group effectiveness Leadership



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Develop New Skills

You might need experience in new arenas! Volunteer Complete an internship Pursue fellowships Get additional training Take a part-time or temporary job Demonstrate an interest in your new career path



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Start Following a Career Path

Decide whether you need a postdoc Start sending out applications Be explicit about the skills you have Make a plan (or not)

Individual Development Plans – FASEB



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But what will my advisor think?

Your career path is about YOU You are not the only one to doubt the academic/

research path Be honest about your concerns Many experience relief



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Changing careers is not a failure; it often requires more courage than continuing in the expected direction and can lead to much greater personal development.

- Anita Crafts-Lighty

The PhD is good training for a professional life. For me, it was my entrée into the culture of physics and the first step to [my current job].

- P.W. Hammer, American Institute of Physics



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Resources

Available at sciencecareers.org/outreach These slides

Available at sciencecareers.org/webinar Nontraditional Careers webinar


Documents

Finding Your Way: Careers Away from the Bench · Finding Your Way: Careers Away from the Bench Brianna Blaser, PhD ... Patent Agent/Attorney Advise companies and inventors on intellectual